GYOR (EuroBasket Women 2015) - There is a palpable change and wobble of the voice when playmaking legend Laia Palau talks about this being her last EuroBasket Women.

It is an emotional experience for her to even think that she is due to sign off her participation in the tournament.

Equally, it just doesn't feel right even asking her about it - such is the magnitude of her influence on the women's game and because she has also been playing some of her best basketball in recent times.

Her reluctant exit plan involves trying to help Spain retain their EuroBasket Women crown, followed by the same quest with ZVVZ USK Prague next season in EuroLeague Women, with the dream of a fitting finale to a stellar career via the prospect of saying goodbye at the Olympics in Rio next year.

Of course a veteran legend like Palau knows only too well that there can be a fine line between fairytales and nightmares in sport and so is reluctant to even think too much about what lies in wait. Fate has a nasty habit of tearing up best-laid plans.

The Barcelona-born star is clearly still in the process of coming to terms with being in the very twilight of her career and one which could have little more than 12 months to run.

Understandably, Palau is eager to focus on what she can do right now; in what she rightly describes as the most important stage of her life.

"All of our players have experience, but I suppose now is important that I use the time to pass on my own experience while I am still on the floor," mused the 34-year-old.

"I have to show how a point guard is the link between the coach and the players - they have to almost think like the coach, because you see the game so differently."

When listening to Palau speak, it's inevitable that you are left in awe of someone who has contributed so much to the women's game and who is likely to continue doing so before she hangs up her shoes.

When she talks, you listen intently. Her basketball brain is exceptional and court smarts are sat way above the standard chart.

It seems only natural that she will eventually migrate into coaching and it's a topic that provokes Palau to drift into deep thought as we sit on the end of the bench after a practice in the deserted Gyor Arena.

"It is an option and one that I might think even more about, because I have already been discussing it with coach [Natalia] Hejkova," she revealed.

Certainly with a five-time EuroLeague Women champion coach at club level and Lucas 'The Alchemist' Mondelo holding the coaching reins of Spain, Palau could barely have two better play-callers to chew over her future career options with.

Whatever happens during this last week of EuroBasket Women 2015, Palau will head back to ZVVZ USK Prague for what is likely to be her last club season and will be joined in the backcourt by national team colleague Marta Xargay.

The former CB Avenida leader arrives with a glowing endorsement from Palau.

"Everybody can already see what Marta brings to any team and I didn't really have to discuss much about her with coach Hejkova," she smiled.

"I think she will help us so much in the backcourt and I am looking forward to playing with her."

Repeating their historic first-ever EuroLeague Women Final Four success will be a tall order and indeed Palau is still having to pinch herself when she reflects on what happened on that memorable night in the Czech capital back in April.

"When I think about it now, it was maybe a miracle we won it - or if not a miracle, then a reward for the way that we did our job," she declared.

"I think that maybe the best way to talk about it, is to say it was like a Cinderella story."

And, few would begrudge a player with the stature of Palau enjoying one last night at the ball, with a deserved swansong at the Rio Olympics.

Go to EuroBasketWomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

FIBA